Buffalo Sliders

Buffalo Sliders

Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Spray grill grates with nonstick spray. Preheat grill to medium high or allow coals to burn down to white ash.

Combine buffalo, egg white, garlic, jalapeño, ketchup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and cayenne. Mix lightly. Shape into 8 thin patties, about 2  1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. Season very lightly with salt.

Grill patties 2 to 3 minutes each side or until meat thermometer registers 155 degrees. Remove from heat, cover and allow to stand about 5 minutes while internal temperature rises to 160 degrees. (Do not overcook.)

Meanwhile, combine blue cheese and buttermilk in a small mixing bowl. Using the back of a fork, mash the blue cheese into the buttermilk. Add mayonnaise and mix well. Stir in celery and remaining  1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Place a tomato slice on the bottom of each bun. Top with a patty, then dollop 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons blue cheese sauce over the meat, then top with bun.

Cooking tip: The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that ground buffalo be cooked to 160 degrees; overcooking will produce dry burgers.

Per serving: 215 calories (26 percent of calories from fat), 6 grams total fat (2 grams saturated), 47 milligrams cholesterol, 16 grams carbohydrates, 20 grams protein, 243 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.

Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob With Creamy Herb Sauce

Grilled Corn on the Cob With Creamy Herb Sauce

Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Fold down the husks on the corn (similar to peeling a banana) to reveal all of the corn but do not remove them from the corn. Remove silk and wash. Using cooking twine, tie the husks together 1- to 2-inches below the cob. Place corn in cold water to cover and allow to soak about 15 minutes.

Mix remaining ingredients. Allow to stand at room temperature while preparing corn.

Preheat grill to medium-high or allow coals to burn down to white ash. Lift corn out of water, then spray corn with butter-flavored nonstick spray coating. Grill corn over direct heat about 15 minutes or until kernels are just crisp-tender and slightly charred, turning to brown evenly.

Serve corn hot and brush each ear with about  1/4 of sauce.

Per serving (1 ear of corn, 1 tablespoon sauce): 124 calories (27 percent from fat), 4 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), 4 milligrams cholesterol, 18 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 75 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.

Chunky Gazpacho With Grilled Shrimp

Chunky Gazpaucho With Grilled Shrimp

Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Place tomatoes in work bowl of food processor. Pulse to chop until finely and evenly chopped but not liquefied. Spoon into a bowl and set aside.

Process cucumber until very finely chopped, then stir into tomatoes. Process red pepper until very finely chopped, then stir into tomato mixture. Process garlic and shallots until finely chopped, then stir into tomato mixture. Stir in tomato juice, vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper.

Cover and allow to chill several hours or overnight.

To grill shrimp: Place shrimp and remaining ingredients in zip-top bag; seal and squeeze gently to coat shrimp evenly. Refrigerate about 30 minutes. Drain and discard marinade. Skewer shrimp.

Preheat grill to medium-high or allow coals to burn down to white ash. Spray grill grate with nonstick spray coating. Grill shrimp 3 to 4 minutes per side or just until shrimp are done and turn pink; do not overcook.

To serve, spoon chilled chunky gazpacho into serving bowls. Place about 4 shrimp in each bowl of soup.

Per serving: 110 calories (19 percent from fat), 2 grams total fat (trace saturated fat), 86 milligrams cholesterol, 10 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams protein, 167 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.

Southwestern Coleslaw

Southwestern Coleslaw

Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Place coleslaw mix, black beans, cilantro, tomato, red onion, jalapeño and avocado in large salad bowl.

Whisk together remaining ingredients in small bowl. Pour over coleslaw and toss gently.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours until chilled through.

Per serving: 113 calories (39 percent from fat), 5 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 13 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 115 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.

Roasted Rhubarb Parfaits

Roasted Rhubarb Parfaits

Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange rhubarb on baking sheet in a single layer and sprinkle with sugar. Cover with foil and roast for 15 minutes; remove foil cover and continue roasting for 5 minutes. Allow to cool.

In a food processor, pulse pecans, dates and salt until finely ground.

In six,  1/2 cup ramekins, place 1 tablespoon of pecan mixture and pat to form crust.

Divide yogurt evenly among ramekins. Using a slotted spoon, spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons rhubarb over yogurt. Sprinkle remaining pecan mixture on top.

Per serving: 154 calories (58 percent from fat), 10 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 14 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 24 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.